The PPAP coffee rehabilitation is a CIC project coordinated by Department of Agriculture & Livestock and financed by a loan facility from World Bank (IDA) and IFAD with support funding from PNG Government.

Mr Woroman gladly welcomed Coffee PPAP into the province on behalf of the provincial administrator.

He said Cocoa PPAP already has 5 projects in East Sepik and he wanted to see more coffee projects in the province.

He thanked CIC for considering and approving a project in East Sepik because it is the number one robusta coffee growing province in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Areka promised the coffee growers that he will diligently deliver the project and will not tolerate slackness by the beneficiaries of the funding.

“The project is yours whilst I’m only the bridge between CIC and you farmers. I will not let the reputation of my company down,” said Mr Areka.

“The coffee farmers are here so the officers must also be closer to the farmers for effective implementation of the project.

“This is the golden opportunity entrusted by CIC so we all must work together to successfully deliver the project outcomes so if there is another similar funding opportunity in future we will be considered favourably.

“I wanted the signing to be in the village and not in hotel or office so you will witness and hear for yourselves what this project is all about.”

PPAP Manager Potaisa Hombunaka announced that the total project is worth K2.6m with K1.8m from PPAP and K0.8m from the farmers mostly through sweat equity plus 5% cost for pulper, tools and materials received by the farmers.

Mr Hombunaka explained the 5% cost will only be payable on the day of receipt of same and not before.

“No project staff is allowed to go around collecting the 5% cost upfront from the farmers.”